Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-04-20
A GORDON SETTER.
Enthusiastic Description of Fred A. Taft's
Dog Dorr.

Enthusiastic Description of Fred A. Taft,s
Dog Dorr.
A Sacramento correspondent of the New
York San sends that paper the following
communication relative to very intelli-
gent and extremely well trained dog, we'll
known by reputation at least to all lovers
of dog and gun in this portion of the State:
The most intelligent hunting dog in this
or any other State is the Gordon setter
l,orr, the exclusive property of Fred A d..
Taft, of Truckee, in Nevada county. What
| this dog doesn't know is not worth bother
ing about, and what he doesn't dol is simply
what he has no inclination to. Dorr comes
naturally by his smartness, having been
born in Yankee land when his master used
to live at Dedham, Mass. His bearing of
the name of Dorr has shed additional lus-
ter upon the distinguished New England
family of that name. He has been a sue
cess, whether on the bench at dog shows.
in field trials or out hunting. Dorr first
saw the light in April, 1876, and since that
time he has been of the most cheerful dis
position Imaginable He is of Scotch de-
scent, his father, Dorr, and his mother,
Lady, having been imported from Tutum-
tarvach by Ellerton l.. Dorr, of Boston, in
1872
Dorr doesn't try to do anything easy his
hobby is to tackle everything that is diff
cult. He has a way, when Mr.. Taft is talk
ing dog, OF coming in with a candlestick,
containing lighted candle in his mouth
and trying to induce his master to be
lighted up to bed. When Mr. Taft was at
the field trials at Hanford last winter Dorr
was nine-day wonder. Every night the
hotel bar-room was crowded with ranchers
who came miles to see him perform. After
being only one day in town, he went regu-
larry every evening to the Postoffice for his
masters mail, and to the railway station for
the newspaper. He did whatever he was
told to do. The most difficult tasks were
set him by those who came to see him. and
he persevered until he accomplished them
One night Dorr was asked to retrieve a
ten cent piece thrown into stable-pail full
to the brim with water. He stuck his head
under the water and kept it there forty-one
seconds, when he succeeded in getting the
chin between his teeth. Afterward, with
out being told, he went out of doors to
shake himself. The same evening he took
needle out OF pail full of water, and car
ried the pail without spilling a drop, out
to the barn. When he came back he
waltzed with one hind leg and his tail in
his mouth, and afterward took his fore
paw in his mouth and jumped over every
chair in the room without letting the paw
go.
Dorr leads his masters horse by the
halter when Mr.. Taft tries to sneak up on
flock of ducks. He will also tow Mr..
Tafts cunning boat for miles by the
painter. He has a wonderful nose. but
doesn't point birds except for his owner.
Ne cripple, whether snipe or swan, can get
away from him. He is not older to-day
than many dogs of half his age His al
lection for his master is most pleasant to
contemplate. When Mr.. Taft was riding
around at the field trials, and his boot
slipped off, Dorr picked it up and carried
ii for miles before Mr.. Taft discovered his
loss. Owing to Mr. Taft being one of the
three distinguished judges at the Pacific
Coast Field Trials Clubs trials. Dorr was
not entered for competition, but he went
along in wagon all the same, and made
more points and backs between the drivers
legs than all the other dogs present. When
Dorr heard that the Sun wanted his picture
he wagged his tail so much that it had to
be wired stiff while his photograph was
being taken. Dorr was trained by Mr..
Taft